If you're short on time and still want to bag the 4,050ft Hawksbill summit, start the hike from the Hawksbill Gap parking area on Skyline Drive following the Lower Hawksbill Trail for a out and back 1.6 miles.

Mile 0.0 - From the parking area at Timber Hollow Overlook enjoy one of the best views of the hike. To the west is the Massanutten Range with New Market Gap and Strickler Knob visible to the northwest. Pass through the gap in the overlook wall and follow the connector trail down to the Appalachian Trail in 60 yards. Turn left on the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) south and pass around the western flank of Bettys Rock before arriving at the trail junction of the connecter trail to the Crescent Rock Overlook.

Mile 1.34 - Stay straight remaining on the A.T. where the trail now begins to climb around the northern side of Hawksbill Mountain. Pass through a rock slide with views to the north. The A.T. becomes less steep after the rock slide area.

Mile 3.36 - At the summit there are expansive 270° views to the west, north and east, with a vista of Old Rag Mountain to the northeast. Return past the Birds Nest 2 shelter then take the Birds Nest 2 Road for 50 yards to the first trail intersection.

Very nice hike! Nobody was going our same way on the AT portion and as other commenters have said, the back way this hike takes you to the summit via the Salamander Trail seemed to be a much easier hike than the trail from the parking lot at Hawksbill. Along the way we had little springs and boulder piles you could explore, and you can't beat the views towards the summit. Overall did it in about 2 hours 45 minutes and enjoyed it without huge crowds.

By:
Tomas S

Rating:

Date of Hike: Monday, June 4, 2018

Concur 100% w previous reviewer....Nice easy walk if you take Salamander Trail....Great views....After recent rains, a lot of rivlets crossing AT portion...Did it in 2.5 hours.....Hawksbill trail steep but easily avoided if you don't want to hike that portion....bring a lunch cause great viewpoints on Salamander....road section is unpaved and a nice walk too.

V close to Skylands for lunch, coffee and bathrooms etc.

By:

Rating:

Date of Hike: Saturday, August 5, 2017

Great Hike. Lots of solitude on the Timber Hollow and Salamander sections. About a dozen people at the summit. Most folks do the much shorter and steeper hike to the summit from the Hawksbill Parking. The hike above, as recommended, is more gentle and takes you through shaded groves and rock slides (which are kind of pretty). Getting to the summit via the Salamander trail is nicer because it has a gentler grade and there are a few overlooks along the way.

Coming down via the Lower Hawkshill trail is fine, as you quickly get back on the A.T. to walk back to Timber Hollow overlook to get to your car.

Not difficult at all, and we complete it in 2.5 hours despite taking quite a few short breaks to take pictures and sip water.